Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. Which symptom(s), if present in a child, should a nurse recognize as being characteristic of Kawasaki disease? Select all that apply.
Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. Which symptom(s), if present in a child, should a nurse recognize as being characteristic of Kawasaki disease? Select all that apply.
. Strawberry tongue.
. High fever.
. Irritability.
. Cough.
. Desquamation of the extremities.
. Elevated ESR.
Test-Taking Tip
When given the option to select more than one answer, review each option carefully since each may be correct. Do not assume that only a few in the list must be correct.
Content Area: Child Health, Infectious Disease; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Assessment; Cognitive Level: Analysis; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Physiological Adaptation/Pathophysiology
Health Promotion and Maintenance
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Answer 1 is correct because strawberry tongue is a symptom of Kawasaki disease (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome), occurring as the skin of the tongue sloughs off, leaving a bright red tongue with white spots. Answer 2 is correct because a symptom of Kawasaki disease is high fever lasting more than 5 days. Answer 3 is correct because irritability is a symptom of Kawasaki disease. Answer 4 is incorrect since a cough is not a symptom of Kawasaki disease. Answer 5 is correct because the child with Kawasaki disease may experience peeling of the hands (on palms and fingertips) and feet (on soles and tips of toes) following the initial inflammatory rash on these areas. Answer 6 is correct because an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a symptom of Kawasaki disease. Elevated ESR is indicative of an inflammatory process, which would include Kawasaki disease.